Rev. Dustin ParkerComing Home
Concordia Lutheran Church
Pentecost 3 July 3, 2011
Coming Home, Because of the Blood!
Zechariah 9:9-12
† IN HIS NAME †
As God draws you to His side, as He gives you rest from the burdens of this life, know this, the Lord’s love is full of mercy and healing. Bear it with joy, even as we bring it to the world.
Saturday Cinema
It was how we spent those hot summer Saturday afternoons, the days when it was too hot and humid to go outside. We would have a couple of fans set out, and we would sit at the counter, or on the trundle-bed couch, and watch our 12 inch black and white television.
Saturdays were always the adventure movies and shows, the westerns, the old Godzilla and Tarzan movies. My favorites were the movies like Bridge over the River Qwai, and the Great Escape, and Force 10 from Navarone, the movies where men would be called on to do incredible things in the midst of hopeless situations, and find themselves being led by a hero, who often would give his life that others would live.
I miss those days, and those heroes. Over 58 movies of that genre I found on the internet. Several of them had an incredible plot twist, where the hero would seem to have sacrificed himself to gain the escape of others, only to somehow make his way back, and join the others homecoming. The joy would be incredible, both on the small screen in front of us, and in our family room.
It is almost as if the consciousness of mankind knows a need for such stories, and is willing to create them, and willing to believe them – whether true or fiction There is a need for hope, a need for something that will break through that which oppresses and tortures the hearts and minds. We see such movies again coming to the fore – the Lord of the Rings, Avatar, Spiderman of a few years back and now a preponderance of superhero movies, from Green Lantern, to Captain America and Thor and Transformers. Millions spent making movies where we can escape and be delivered from evil. Billions spent, looking for an escape, if only for an afternoon or evening.
Saturday afternoon daydreams and adventures led to something far more significant on Sunday. There was the real answer to our desire to be rescued, to be saved, to see our Hero coming home in victory. What we dream of on Saturday was reality on Sunday, but how often did we miss it?
The difference is this moment, this time, is not a blockbuster movie with famous names, a momentary diversion from life. We are not simple spectators, watching on a 12 inch Zenith b/w or a 60 inch HDTV. We are part of the story, and along with all of humanity, it is Christ’s desire to rescues us we shall realize, and bring us home…
The Hero – our King
What confidence
Who can remember when presidents would ride through a community in a convertible, waving to those on either side who gathered to greet him? Who boldly and confidently could travel among people, with minimal security? When Zechariah talks of the celebration of the King’s arrival, we could understand it in such a concept.
A horse was a great military animal, it could be used to attack – a weapon in and of itself, and it was the fastest way to retreat from a hostile situation. The donkey, not so much. It was a beast of comfort, a slow and gentle traveller, even graceful as it carried its rider. For a king, it was a symbol of great confidence, of an assurance that he would be safe among his people, that he had no worries of being in their presence.
What kind of leader has that kind of confidence, who has His people’s trust, that He will be good, and fix injustice, and put things to right. We see humanity’s desire for such a leader in how vigorously we back those we think might be our heroes, only to savagely tear into those who disappoint our dreams, who fail to keep their promises. It is no surprise that we pin so much of our hopes to elections, expecting this person or that to make everything …. right. They will not, only One leader can, only One leader has the wisdom and the power.. and the patience and love.
The Frustration?
The War has to End!
What did it take!
I’ve often wondered how God so patiently deals with the damage and destruction that sin wreaks on the world. As He looked down on broken relationships, of shattered marriages and the internal spiritual warfare that goes on inside each person – how does God deal with His frustration,
I think we see in Zechariah, especially in this translation, the answer.
“10 I've had it with war—no more chariots in Ephraim, no more war horses in Jerusalem, no more swords and spears, bows and arrows.”
Far too often we think of war as distant, it is in the past, or it is somewhere over –there – in a backward country on the other side of the world. But there is another war, the one Paul describes in His epistle, that affects every believer and unbeliever.
15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
Do we take this war as seriously as that against Al Qaeda? Do we celebrate the victory we have in Christ with as much joy as we do our country's liberation from Britain 235 years ago? Even as each of us struggles with sin, with those demons that haunt us, do we realize the victory has been won, that our cells have been open, that it is time to begin the journey home?
Hear again the cry of our Lord Jesus Christ,
“10 I've had it with war—no more chariots in Ephraim, no more war horses in Jerusalem, no more swords and spears, bows and arrows.”
It should remind you of another one of His cries, the one from the cross, “ IT IS FINISIHED!”
The End of the War
Complete – not just regional, not just here!
Peace to the Nations!
The homecoming – to the altar
The end of most wars is bittersweet, as the damage is seen, and people take in a deep breath and realize its cost. The loser’s country is completely ravaged, the defeat leaving them stunned. Often the victors realize the responsibility to help rebuild that which was destroyed.
God’s end of the war is a bit different. His offer of peace is complete, not just the restoration of Israel, but of all in the war. The peace that will flood over all lands, a peace that will bring healing and restoration that was prophesied to restore all nations to Him. Hear Zechariah’s words again:
He will offer peace to the nations, a peaceful rule worldwide, from the four winds to the seven seas.
Israel and Iraq at peace, Britain and the United States, Europe at peace. Gangs no longer fighting over territory, the Hatfields and the McCoys at peace, and our hearts and minds no longer warring, as we realize that there is no longer any condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.
Do we really see this as a fact, that the spiritual war is long since declared over? Do we realize our role is no longer combatants, but journeying home, and helping others to come home as well? Far too many do not realize Christ’s victory is for them! Or do we think these scriptures are a like a great movie, an escape for the moment, but not our reality? Are we still trying to fight wars, against those whom God has offered peace as well, those for whom He also spilled His blood?
It’s time to realize we’ve been called home, to a feast a celebration of God’s people, united in His peace. Home to His table, to the place where of the covenant, the place where we realize the true cost of peace.
A body broken on a cross,
The blood of the covenant, long ago prophesied, long ago poured out, shed for the forgiveness of sin.
Our King, the lamb of God, sacrificed for us, has brought us together in His presence to proclaim His death for us, to proclaim His peace, and His rule. He invites us to His victory feast, a foretaste of the feast and the celebration that will occur with His second coming.
Shout and even cheer, rejoice greatly, for in Christ, our hearts and minds rest – for we know there is peace! Our King has come, and He has made things right!
AMEN?
Pentecost 3 July 3, 2011
Coming Home, Because of the Blood!
Zechariah 9:9-12
† IN HIS NAME †
As God draws you to His side, as He gives you rest from the burdens of this life, know this, the Lord’s love is full of mercy and healing. Bear it with joy, even as we bring it to the world.
Saturday Cinema
It was how we spent those hot summer Saturday afternoons, the days when it was too hot and humid to go outside. We would have a couple of fans set out, and we would sit at the counter, or on the trundle-bed couch, and watch our 12 inch black and white television.
Saturdays were always the adventure movies and shows, the westerns, the old Godzilla and Tarzan movies. My favorites were the movies like Bridge over the River Qwai, and the Great Escape, and Force 10 from Navarone, the movies where men would be called on to do incredible things in the midst of hopeless situations, and find themselves being led by a hero, who often would give his life that others would live.
I miss those days, and those heroes. Over 58 movies of that genre I found on the internet. Several of them had an incredible plot twist, where the hero would seem to have sacrificed himself to gain the escape of others, only to somehow make his way back, and join the others homecoming. The joy would be incredible, both on the small screen in front of us, and in our family room.
It is almost as if the consciousness of mankind knows a need for such stories, and is willing to create them, and willing to believe them – whether true or fiction There is a need for hope, a need for something that will break through that which oppresses and tortures the hearts and minds. We see such movies again coming to the fore – the Lord of the Rings, Avatar, Spiderman of a few years back and now a preponderance of superhero movies, from Green Lantern, to Captain America and Thor and Transformers. Millions spent making movies where we can escape and be delivered from evil. Billions spent, looking for an escape, if only for an afternoon or evening.
Saturday afternoon daydreams and adventures led to something far more significant on Sunday. There was the real answer to our desire to be rescued, to be saved, to see our Hero coming home in victory. What we dream of on Saturday was reality on Sunday, but how often did we miss it?
The difference is this moment, this time, is not a blockbuster movie with famous names, a momentary diversion from life. We are not simple spectators, watching on a 12 inch Zenith b/w or a 60 inch HDTV. We are part of the story, and along with all of humanity, it is Christ’s desire to rescues us we shall realize, and bring us home…
The Hero – our King
What confidence
Who can remember when presidents would ride through a community in a convertible, waving to those on either side who gathered to greet him? Who boldly and confidently could travel among people, with minimal security? When Zechariah talks of the celebration of the King’s arrival, we could understand it in such a concept.
A horse was a great military animal, it could be used to attack – a weapon in and of itself, and it was the fastest way to retreat from a hostile situation. The donkey, not so much. It was a beast of comfort, a slow and gentle traveller, even graceful as it carried its rider. For a king, it was a symbol of great confidence, of an assurance that he would be safe among his people, that he had no worries of being in their presence.
What kind of leader has that kind of confidence, who has His people’s trust, that He will be good, and fix injustice, and put things to right. We see humanity’s desire for such a leader in how vigorously we back those we think might be our heroes, only to savagely tear into those who disappoint our dreams, who fail to keep their promises. It is no surprise that we pin so much of our hopes to elections, expecting this person or that to make everything …. right. They will not, only One leader can, only One leader has the wisdom and the power.. and the patience and love.
The Frustration?
The War has to End!
What did it take!
I’ve often wondered how God so patiently deals with the damage and destruction that sin wreaks on the world. As He looked down on broken relationships, of shattered marriages and the internal spiritual warfare that goes on inside each person – how does God deal with His frustration,
I think we see in Zechariah, especially in this translation, the answer.
“10 I've had it with war—no more chariots in Ephraim, no more war horses in Jerusalem, no more swords and spears, bows and arrows.”
Far too often we think of war as distant, it is in the past, or it is somewhere over –there – in a backward country on the other side of the world. But there is another war, the one Paul describes in His epistle, that affects every believer and unbeliever.
15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
Do we take this war as seriously as that against Al Qaeda? Do we celebrate the victory we have in Christ with as much joy as we do our country's liberation from Britain 235 years ago? Even as each of us struggles with sin, with those demons that haunt us, do we realize the victory has been won, that our cells have been open, that it is time to begin the journey home?
Hear again the cry of our Lord Jesus Christ,
“10 I've had it with war—no more chariots in Ephraim, no more war horses in Jerusalem, no more swords and spears, bows and arrows.”
It should remind you of another one of His cries, the one from the cross, “ IT IS FINISIHED!”
The End of the War
Complete – not just regional, not just here!
Peace to the Nations!
The homecoming – to the altar
The end of most wars is bittersweet, as the damage is seen, and people take in a deep breath and realize its cost. The loser’s country is completely ravaged, the defeat leaving them stunned. Often the victors realize the responsibility to help rebuild that which was destroyed.
God’s end of the war is a bit different. His offer of peace is complete, not just the restoration of Israel, but of all in the war. The peace that will flood over all lands, a peace that will bring healing and restoration that was prophesied to restore all nations to Him. Hear Zechariah’s words again:
He will offer peace to the nations, a peaceful rule worldwide, from the four winds to the seven seas.
Israel and Iraq at peace, Britain and the United States, Europe at peace. Gangs no longer fighting over territory, the Hatfields and the McCoys at peace, and our hearts and minds no longer warring, as we realize that there is no longer any condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.
Do we really see this as a fact, that the spiritual war is long since declared over? Do we realize our role is no longer combatants, but journeying home, and helping others to come home as well? Far too many do not realize Christ’s victory is for them! Or do we think these scriptures are a like a great movie, an escape for the moment, but not our reality? Are we still trying to fight wars, against those whom God has offered peace as well, those for whom He also spilled His blood?
It’s time to realize we’ve been called home, to a feast a celebration of God’s people, united in His peace. Home to His table, to the place where of the covenant, the place where we realize the true cost of peace.
A body broken on a cross,
The blood of the covenant, long ago prophesied, long ago poured out, shed for the forgiveness of sin.
Our King, the lamb of God, sacrificed for us, has brought us together in His presence to proclaim His death for us, to proclaim His peace, and His rule. He invites us to His victory feast, a foretaste of the feast and the celebration that will occur with His second coming.
Shout and even cheer, rejoice greatly, for in Christ, our hearts and minds rest – for we know there is peace! Our King has come, and He has made things right!
AMEN?
